It happens to most of us guys eventually -- we look in the mirror and
realize that we're getting a little thin on top. What's a guy to do?
Resort to drugs, rugs, creams, or schemes to try to get our hair back?
Or do we come to terms with it and make the most of what we have left?
If, like me, and your hairline is making a hasty retreat, I have some
suggestions on dealing with thinning hair.
The first step in
dealing with hair loss is admitting that you're losing it. Sure, you
could comb it over and live in a state of denial like Donald Trump,
but you really won't be fooling anyone. But don't worry, you're not
alone. Nearly half of all men are losing their hair (and half of those
are under 30), so it's time to deal with it!
When fighting hair
loss, many of us will try nearly everything. There are many hair loss
drugs on the market and tons of other schemes for regrowing hair. The
problem with most hair loss treatments is that they don't really work well.They can be expensive, frustrating, and have side
effects. You could try transplants or a hair piece, but those almost
always look fake -- even the great ones. Think about it. Take a look
at Elton John, for example. He's a big time celebrity guy and can
likely afford the best hair piece you can buy, but what's on his head
right now is clearly fake. My advice it to let nature take its course
and just own it!
The best course of action for minimizing thinning
hair is to cut it short. Very short. Many guys think growing their
hair longer can help them cover up the thin spots, but that actually has
the opposite effect. Typically, hair starts to thin on top and you may
even see some scalp showing through. By growing it out, the sides
become fuller and thicker which makes the thinner top appear that much
thinner. My rule of thumb is this. If you can see scalp on the top of
your head, cut the sides and back short enough so you see an equal
amount of scalp -- this will provide balance and help hide the fact that
there is less hair on top. The right haircut for thinning hair is critical.
If
you are feeling particularly bold, you may also wish to try a full head
shave -- a bald head shows confidence and completely eliminates the
thinning hair altogether. You may also wish to consider a short beard,
which will draw the focus down the face and away from the forehead. In
fact, a recent study by Albert Mannes, PhD
revealed that men with shaved heads are seen as more dominant, taller,
and masculine. Hold on a sec. Where did I put my razor? I've got
something to take care of real quick.
If you do decide to keep a
little hair, I recommend keeping it on the short side and avoid heavy
styling product such as gels which can cause the hair strands to stick
together and show more scalp. Use a very small amount of a styling
product like American Crew's Light Hold Texture Lotion to add a natural shine and control without separation.
Getting the right, short haircut, using a light product, and growing a little facial hair are some of the ways men can make thinning hair appear thicker and fuller.
Keeping your body healthy and dressing well, will also help enhance
your look. Sure, it can be disappointing (down right traumatic to some)
when we realize we are losing it, but take a look around. You'll soon
realize you are not alone and that thinning hair is something more than
half of us will deal with eventually. I say, let's just let nature
take its course and embrace it and not worry about those short,
subordinate, and less masculine men with the thick hair!
By David Alexander
Men's Hair Expert
